D&D Styles of Play, a Beginners Guide

RPG Blokes

In this episode of RPG Blokes, the team explores the different styles of roleplaying games, helping middle-aged newcomers find the right fit for their first adventures.

Mark, John, and Barry kick things off with sandbox games, where player freedom drives the story. John champions this open style, while Barry notes the challenge of keeping players engaged. They move on to dungeon crawls and hack-and-slash games—Barry’s favourite—for their straightforward, action-packed gameplay that’s great for beginners.

Survival horror gets a spotlight next, with tense decisions and brutal combat. Mark and Barry reflect on Call of Cthulhu and how fear and vulnerability shape the experience. The team then discusses mystery and investigation games, comparing narrative-heavy systems to more combat-focused ones like D&D.

Finally, they touch on epic campaigns—long, character-driven arcs that D&D does best—blending combat, story, and progression.

Packed with advice and personal stories, the episode helps listeners find the RPG style that suits their playstyle and group best.

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Now, it's Time to .... Slice and Dice!

Chapters

1. D&D Styles of Play, a Beginners Guide (00:00:00)

2. Introducing the RPG Blokes (00:00:53)

3. Sandbox (00:02:54)

4. Dungeon Crawl (00:10:57)

5. Survival Horror (00:18:50)

6. Mystery and Investigation (00:25:49)

7. Epic Campaigns (00:30:59)

8. We Choose Our Favourite Style (00:34:48)

9. Let's Slice and Dice (00:36:11)